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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2026, Page 31

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OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

given directly to the seminaries.

(Mark 12:31).

Significant support is also given to the seminaries through corporate Synod in St. Louis.

MADV is here to walk alongside you in living out this calling—
through giving a donation, volunteering for those in crisis at one
of our recognized service organizations, or learning about God’s
missionaries and ministries around the world. Rest assured, our relationship with you—and with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—
reigns supreme above all else.

One means of seminary support through the Synod is called
“Synod Subsidies.” This is that portion of congregational worship
offering passed on by districts to support national-level work, then
granted by the budgeting process as unrestricted support for seminary operations. Computed by an agreed-upon formula, based on
student graduations, Synod subsidies to the seminary have consistently been a total of $593,700 each year.
Donations and bequests restricted by contributors to support the
operation of both LCMS seminaries are given through the LCMS
Joint Seminary Fund (JSF) and divided between the two seminaries.
Donations and bequests restricted to a specific seminary are
identified by the contributor. These gifts are not included in the JSF.
The Global Seminary Initiative (GSI) provides donations voluntarily restricted for disbursement to both Synod seminaries. It
is also used to augment assistance for qualifying international students and to send Synod seminary faculty to teach overseas.
Certain donations were voluntarily given to the Synod that carried a donor-imposed restriction to be given as financial assistance
to students enrolled at either of the Synod’s seminaries.
Seminary faculty services are undesignated or designated funds
paid to seminaries in return for services provided by the seminary
faculty members (e.g., presentations, seminars, and short-term intensive teaching assignments).

A. Commitment to Ethics and Transparency
Since MADV’s inception in 2011, our fundraising and organizational standards continue to be scrutinized and validated through
the Better Business Bureau and earning the Accredited Charity Status. Additionally, MADV prides itself in being fully transparent and
upfront when working with our constituents. Please take the time to
peruse through our Fundraising and Contributor Rights page: lcms.
org/giving/transparency#fundraising-and-contributor-rights.
Included online:
•

Advancement Staff Code of Professional Ethics

•

Donor Bill of Rights

•

Fundraising Policy and Procedural Manual

•

Staff Directory

•

Financial Reports

Further, all correspondence created and generated through
MADV is brought through a strict review process touching all areas of corporate Synod: LCMS Communications, mission offices,
Office of the President, and external doctrinal reviewers. We pride
ourselves in delivering products which directly align with the Lutheran ethos.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, we encourage you
to contact us as indicated above.

B. God’s Abundant Blessings

Total national Synod support of our seminaries.
James A. Baneck, Executive Director
R1.2.4

Mission Advancement
Mission Advancement (MADV) exists to do exactly what its
name declares—to advance God’s mission as entrusted to His
Church. Our team of 44 dedicated employees serves as a bridge
into the programs and projects approved by the Synod’s boards.
Because of this linkage, contributors of the Synod can more fully engage with the work of their church body—whether it’s hearing a mission advocate give a presentation at your church’s Bible
study hour, a quick email sent to Mission.Advancement@lcms.org
regarding a recent story you read about in Lutheran’s Engage the
World, or calling the donor care line at 888-930-4438. We are here
to connect, inform, and serve you.
In the book of Mark, God calls each of us to love our neighbor,
“The second [commandment] is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor
as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these”

The mission and operations of corporate Synod are made possible solely through voluntary contributions. Phil. 4:19 states: “And
my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in
glory in Christ Jesus.” This pertains to all aspects of our life and
work—personal to professional, within your local congregation,
and across the ministry areas whose responsibilities are defined by
the bylaws and resolutions set forth in convention.
Over the course of the triennium, relationships were deepened
particularly with family and corporate foundations along with an
influx of planned gifts. God continues to bless His Church through
saints even after they have been called to their eternal home.

C. Collaboration and Expansion
Within the Office of National Mission, ministry leaders and
MADV have worked closely to strengthen relationships not only
with Lutheran foundations but also with secular philanthropic partners. These collaborations have resulted in multi-year, multi-million-dollar proposals that significantly advance our shared mission.
Our team continues to witness tangible signs of trust and partnership as non-Lutheran entities increasingly engage with the work of
the LCMS. Most recently, the Lilly Endowment has begun partnering with various LCMS ministries—a direct outcome of intentional
collaboration across units and teams.
Donors are also demonstrating growing trust through an
increase in least-restrictive gifts. The former trend of small2026 Convention Workbook